Forty-eight hours just isn’t enough when 500 miles separates you from your offspring.
It isn’t enough but I’ll take it. I will take advantage of every possible snippet of time that I can if it means being with my babies! (Ok, so they’re not really babies, but every mom knows that age doesn’t define your baby).
My two adult children flew into town less than an hour apart from each other on a recent Friday afternoon. The purpose was to attend an 80th birthday celebration for their grandparents. I tried not to do it, but as we were leaving the airport, I was already dreading bringing them back. Thankfully, with all of the last-minute preparations for the party and the party itself, I didn’t have time to dwell on that thought.
We had a wonderful weekend. The party was spectacular. The time spent with family was rejuvenating. Attending Sunday morning worship service as a family on Father’s Day was an added bonus. It was a sweet time.
All too soon we had to return them to the airport to head back to their homes and jobs. My daughter and her fiancé were the first to leave. I walked with them into the terminal where we chatted, hugged each other and said goodbye. As I walked to the elevator, I glanced back to watch them head toward the security checkpoint. For a split-second, I wanted to run back to my girl and hug her one more time but I didn’t. I headed back home arriving just in time to hop in the car with my husband to take our son and his girlfriend to the airport. Sigh . . . another set of hugs, another set of goodbyes.
Now, normally, about this time I would be feeling very sad. The blues usually set in soon after they leave. But, it was nearing sunset, a beautiful evening, as my husband and I drove home to our once again empty nest. Instead of being blue I decided to focus on the things for which I was thankful.
- For cell phones that keep me connected with calls or texts
- For computers that enable us to communicate by email
- For jets that can reduce a 10 – 12 hour road trip to a little over an hour in the air
- For holidays and milestones in our lives that bring our loved ones home
- For these, and so many other things, I am grateful.
give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus
1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NIV)
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Thessalonians+5%3A18&version=NIV
Kim Wilbanks 
Kim, that was beautiful and I think every mother can relate to that “lump in the throat” feeling when we have to say good by. However that hello, hugs and kisses when we see them again is so wonderful, you soon forget the other feeling. One very positive note…when your children live away, you don’t take each other for granted like when they are living just upstairs. Every moment is a treasured memory like the birthday celebration.
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so true Rachel
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